Group-based beam indication and signaling

ABSTRACT

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a downlink beam indication for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and use the downlink beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. In some aspects, a UE may receive an indication of a spatial relation and multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; and use the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources. Numerous other aspects are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/814,621, filed on Mar. 6, 2019, entitled “GROUP-BASEDBEAM INDICATION AND SIGNALING,” and assigned to the assignee hereof. Thedisclosure of the prior application is considered part of and isincorporated by reference in this patent application as if fully setforth below in its entirety and for all applicable purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the technology described below generally relate to wirelesscommunication and to techniques and apparatuses for group-based beamindication and signaling. Some techniques and apparatuses describedherein enable and provide wireless communication devices and systemsconfigured to reduce network resource overhead, increase signalingflexibility, and/or conserve energy resources.

INTRODUCTION

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustelecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employmultiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication withmultiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth,transmit power, and/or the like). Examples of such multiple-accesstechnologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, timedivision multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency-division multipleaccess (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency-division multiple access(OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency-division multiple access(SC-FDMA) systems, time division synchronous code division multipleaccess (TD-SCDMA) systems, and Long Term Evolution (LTE).LTE/LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by theThird Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

A wireless communication network may include a number of base stations(BSs) that can support communication for a number of user equipment(UEs). A user equipment (UE) may communicate with a base station (BS)via the downlink and uplink. The downlink (or forward link) refers tothe communication link from the BS to the UE, and the uplink (or reverselink) refers to the communication link from the UE to the BS. As will bedescribed in more detail herein, a BS may be referred to as a Node B, agNB, an access point (AP), a radio head, a transmit receive point (TRP),a New Radio (NR) BS, a 5G Node B, and/or the like.

The above multiple access technologies have been adopted in varioustelecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enablesdifferent user equipment to communicate on a municipal, national,regional, and even global level. New Radio (NR), which may also bereferred to as 5G, is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standardpromulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Asdemand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, there exists aneed for further improvements in LTE and NR technologies. Theseimprovements can apply to other multiple access technologies and thetelecommunication standards that employ these technologies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

In some aspects, a method of wireless communication, performed by a userequipment (UE), may include receiving a beam indication (e.g., for adownlink beam and/or for an uplink beam) for at least one of a channel,a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier;and using the beam indication for a group of channels, resources,resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. According to onespecific, non-limiting example deployment aspect, a single activatedand/or configured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/ordownlink channel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a componentcarrier can be applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets,bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, a method of wireless communication, performed by a UE,may include receiving an indication of a spatial relation and multiplephysical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatialrelation is to be applied; and using the spatial relation to transmit onone or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

In some aspects, a UE for wireless communication may include memory andone or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory andthe one or more processors may be configured to receive a beamindication (e.g., for a downlink beam and/or for an uplink beam) for atleast one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, ora component carrier; and use the beam indication for a group ofchannels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or componentcarriers. According to one specific, non-limiting example deploymentaspect, a single activated and/or configured beam indication used on aparticular uplink and/or downlink channel or resource on a bandwidthpart and/or a component carrier can be applied to a group of channels,resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, a UE for wireless communication may include memory andone or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory andthe one or more processors may be configured to receive an indication ofa spatial relation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatialrelation is to be applied; and use the spatial relation to transmit onone or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store oneor more instructions for wireless communication. The one or moreinstructions, when executed by one or more processors of a UE, may causethe one or more processors to: receive a beam indication (e.g., for adownlink beam and/or for an uplink beam) for at least one of a channel,a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier;and use the beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resourcesets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. According to one specific,non-limiting example deployment aspect, a single activated and/orconfigured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlinkchannel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier canbe applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidthparts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store oneor more instructions for wireless communication. The one or moreinstructions, when executed by one or more processors of a UE, may causethe one or more processors to: receive an indication of a spatialrelation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatial relation isto be applied; and use the spatial relation to transmit on one or morePUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may includemeans for receiving a beam indication (e.g., for a downlink beam and/orfor an uplink beam) for at least one of a channel, a resource, aresource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and means forusing the beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resourcesets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. According to one specific,non-limiting example deployment aspect, a single activated and/orconfigured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlinkchannel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier canbe applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidthparts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may includemeans for receiving an indication of a spatial relation and multiplePUCCH resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; andmeans for using the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCHresources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

Aspects generally include a method, apparatus, system, computer programproduct, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, basestation, wireless communication device, and/or processing system assubstantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated bythe accompanying drawings and specification.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conceptionand specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of theconcepts disclosed herein, both their organization and method ofoperation, together with associated advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purposesof illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limitsof the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the above-recited features of the present disclosure can beunderstood in detail, a more particular description is provided herein,with some aspects of the disclosure being illustrated in the appendeddrawings. However, the appended drawings illustrate only some aspects ofthis disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of thescope of the disclosure. The same reference numbers in differentdrawings may identify the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of awireless communication network, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a basestation in communication with a UE in a wireless communication network,in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3-5 are diagrams illustrating examples of group-based beamindication and signaling, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 6-7 are diagrams illustrating example processes relating togroup-based beam indication and signaling, in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to any specific structure or function presented throughoutthis disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on theteachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scopeof the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosuredisclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined withany other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may beimplemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspectsset forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intendedto cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using otherstructure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition toor other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. Itshould be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed hereinmay be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented withreference to various apparatuses and techniques. These apparatuses andtechniques will be described in the following detailed description andillustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules,components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, and/or the like(collectively referred to as “elements” or “features”). These elementsmay be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations thereof.Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software dependsupon the particular application and design constraints imposed on theoverall system.

While some aspects may be described herein using terminology commonlyassociated with 3G and/or 4G wireless technologies, aspects of thepresent disclosure can be applied in other generation-basedcommunication systems, such as 5G and later, including NR technologies.

While aspects and embodiments are described in this application byillustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understandthat additional implementations and use cases may come about in manydifferent arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein maybe implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems,shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, embodiments and/oruses may come about via integrated chip embodiments and/or othernon-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles,communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment,retail/purchasing devices, medical devices, AI-enabled devices, and/orthe like). While some examples may or may not be specifically directedto use cases or applications, a wide assortment of applicability ofdescribed innovations may occur. Implementations may range a spectrumfrom chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-levelimplementations and further to aggregate, distributed, or OEM devices orsystems incorporating one or more aspects of the described innovations.In some practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects andfeatures may also necessarily include additional components and featuresfor implementation and practice of claimed and described embodiments.For example, transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarilyincludes a number of components for analog and digital purposes (e.g.,hardware components including one or more antennas, RF-chains, poweramplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers,adders/summers, and/or the like). It is intended that innovationsdescribed herein may be practiced in a wide variety of devices,chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-userdevices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless network 100 in which aspectsof the present disclosure may be practiced. The wireless network 100 maybe an LTE network or some other wireless network, such as a 5G or NRnetwork. The wireless network 100 may include a number of BSs 110 (shownas BS 110 a, BS 110 b, BS 110 c, and BS 110 d) and other networkentities. A BS is an entity that communicates with user equipment (UEs)and may also be referred to as a base station, a NR BS, a Node B, a gNB,a 5G node B (NB), an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP),and/or the like. In some deployments, a BS may be known as a schedulingentity (e.g., in that the BS can schedule communications of otherdevices). Each BS may provide communication coverage for a particulargeographic area. In 3GPP, the term “cell” can refer to a coverage areaof a BS and/or a BS subsystem serving this coverage area, depending onthe context in which the term is used.

A BS may provide communication coverage for areas of varying sizes orranges. BSs can be configured to enable communication in a variety ofcell arrangements, including a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell,and/or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively largegeographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allowunrestricted access by UEs with service subscription. A pico cell maycover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestrictedaccess by UEs with service subscription. A femto cell may cover arelatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restrictedaccess by UEs having association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in aclosed subscriber group (CSG)). A BS for a macro cell may be referred toas a macro BS. A BS for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico BS. ABS for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS. Inthe example shown in FIG. 1, a BS 110 a may be a macro BS for a macrocell 102 a, a BS 110 b may be a pico BS for a pico cell 102 b, and a BS110 c may be a femto BS for a femto cell 102 c. A BS may support one ormultiple (e.g., three) cells. The terms “eNB”, “base station”, “NR BS”,“gNB”, “TRP”, “AP”, “node B”, “5G NB”, and “cell” may be usedinterchangeably herein.

In some aspects, a cell may not necessarily be stationary. A cell thatis mobile enables a geographic area of the cell to move according to thelocation of a mobile BS. In some aspects, a UE can be configured tocarry out BS functionality. In some aspects, the BSs may beinterconnected to one another and/or to one or more other BSs or networknodes (not shown) in the wireless network 100 through various types ofbackhaul interfaces such as a direct physical connection, a virtualnetwork, and/or the like using any suitable transport network.

Wireless network 100 may also include relay stations. A relay station isan entity that can receive a transmission of data from an upstreamstation (e.g., a BS or a UE) and send a transmission of the data to adownstream station (e.g., a UE or a BS). A relay station may also be aUE that can relay transmissions for other UEs. In the example shown inFIG. 1, a relay station 110 d may communicate with macro BS 110 a and aUE 120 d in order to facilitate communication between BS 110 a and UE120 d. A relay station may also be referred to as a relay BS, a relaybase station, a relay, and/or the like.

Wireless network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes BSs ofdifferent types, e.g., macro BSs, pico BSs, femto BSs, relay BSs, and/orthe like. These different types of BSs may have different transmit powerlevels, different coverage areas, and different impacts on interferencein wireless network 100. For example, macro BSs may have a high transmitpower level (e.g., 5 to 40 Watts) whereas pico BSs, femto BSs, and relayBSs may have lower transmit power levels (e.g., 0.1 to 2 Watts).

A network controller 130 may couple to a set of BSs and may providecoordination and control for these BSs. Network controller 130 maycommunicate with the BSs via a backhaul. The BSs may also communicatewith one another, e.g., directly or indirectly via a wireless orwireline backhaul.

UEs 120 (e.g., 120 a, 120 b, 120 c) may be dispersed throughout wirelessnetwork 100, and each UE may be stationary or mobile. A UE may also bereferred to as an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, asubscriber unit, a station, and/or the like. A UE may be a cellularphone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), awireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, alaptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station,a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, anultrabook, a medical device or equipment, biometric sensors/devices,wearable devices (smart watches, smart clothing, smart glasses, smartwrist bands, smart jewelry (e.g., smart ring, smart bracelet)), anentertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satelliteradio), a vehicle, a vehicular component or sensor, smartmeters/sensors, industrial manufacturing equipment, robotics, drones,implantable devices, augmented reality devices, a global positioningsystem device, or any other suitable device that is configured tocommunicate via a wireless or wired medium.

Some UEs may be considered machine-type communication (MTC) or evolvedor enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) UEs. MTC and eMTC UEsinclude, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters,monitors, location tags, and/or the like, that may communicate with abase station, another device (e.g., remote device), or some otherentity. A wireless node may provide, for example, connectivity for or toa network (e.g., a wide area network such as Internet or a cellularnetwork) via a wired or wireless communication link. Some UEs may beconsidered Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, and/or may be implementedas NB-IoT (narrowband internet of things) devices. Some UEs may beconsidered a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). UE 120 may be includedinside a housing that houses components of UE 120, such as processorcomponents, memory components, and/or the like. Further, in somedeployments, UEs may be referred to as scheduled entities (e.g., in thatUE communication may be scheduled by another entity (e.g., a BS oranother scheduling entity).

In general, any number of wireless networks may be deployed in a givengeographic area. That is, multiple wireless networks can exist and canbe deployed simultaneously in a given area. Some devices can bemulti-mode devices and can be configured to communicate with multiplenetworks. In some deployments, devices may operate with only onenetwork, with only a limited number of networks, and/or with only aparticular type of network (e.g., a 5G stand-alone device). Eachwireless network may support a particular RAT and may operate on one ormore frequencies. A RAT may also be referred to as a radio technology,an air interface, and/or the like. A frequency may also be referred toas a carrier, a frequency channel, and/or the like. Each frequency maysupport a single RAT in a given geographic area in order to avoidinterference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases,NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

In some aspects, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120 a and UE 120e) may communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g.,without using a base station 110 as an intermediary to communicate withone another). For example, the UEs 120 may communicate usingpeer-to-peer (P2P) communications, device-to-device (D2D)communications, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocol (e.g., which mayinclude a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocol, a vehicle-to-infrastructure(V2I) protocol, and/or the like), a mesh network, and/or the like. Inthis case, the UE 120 may perform scheduling operations, resourceselection operations, and/or other operations described elsewhere hereinas being performed by the base station 110.

As indicated above, FIG. 1 is provided merely as an example. Otherexamples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a design 200 of base station 110 and UE120, which may be one of the base stations and one of the UEs in FIG. 1.Base station 110 may be equipped with T antennas 234 a through 234 t,and UE 120 may be equipped with R antennas 252 a through 252 r, where ingeneral T≥1 and R≥1.

At base station 110, a transmit processor 220 can carry out a number offunctions associated with communications. For example, transmitprocessor 220 may receive data from a data source 212 for one or moreUEs, select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for each UEbased at least in part on channel quality indicators (CQIs) receivedfrom the UE, process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for each UEbased at least in part on the MCS(s) selected for the UE, and providedata symbols for all UEs. Transmit processor 220 may also process systeminformation (e.g., for semi-static resource partitioning information(SRPI) and/or the like) and control information (e.g., CQI requests,grants, upper layer signaling, and/or the like) and provide overheadsymbols and control symbols. Transmit processor 220 may also generatereference symbols for reference signals (e.g., the cell-specificreference signal (CRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., the primarysynchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal(SSS)). A transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the datasymbols, the control symbols, the overhead symbols, and/or the referencesymbols, if applicable, and may provide T output symbol streams to Tmodulators (MODs) 232 a through 232 t. Each modulator 232 may process arespective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM and/or the like) toobtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 232 may further process(e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the outputsample stream to obtain a downlink signal. T downlink signals frommodulators 232 a through 232 t may be transmitted via T antennas 234 athrough 234 t, respectively. According to various aspects described inmore detail below, the synchronization signals can be generated withlocation encoding to convey additional information.

At UE 120, antennas 252 a through 252 r may receive downlink signalsfrom base station 110 and/or other base stations and may providereceived signals to demodulators (DEMODs) 254 a through 254 r,respectively. Each demodulator 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify,downconvert, and digitize) a received signal to obtain input samples.Each demodulator 254 may further process the input samples (e.g., forOFDM and/or the like) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256may obtain received symbols from all R demodulators 254 a through 254 r,perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, andprovide detected symbols. A receive processor 258 may process (e.g.,demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for UE120 to a data sink 260, and provide decoded control information andsystem information to a controller/processor 280. A channel processormay determine reference signal received power (RSRP), received signalstrength indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ),channel quality indicator (CQI), and/or the like. In some aspects, oneor more components of UE 120 may be included in a housing.

On the uplink, at UE 120, a transmit processor 264 may receive andprocess data from a data source 262 and control information (e.g., forreports comprising RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, CQI, and/or the like) fromcontroller/processor 280. Transmit processor 264 may also generatereference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols fromtransmit processor 264 may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor 266 ifapplicable, further processed by modulators 254 a through 254 r (e.g.,for DFT-s-OFDM, CP-OFDM, and/or the like), and transmitted to basestation 110. At base station 110, the uplink signals from UE 120 andother UEs may be received by antennas 234, processed by demodulators232, detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and furtherprocessed by a receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and controlinformation sent by UE 120. Receive processor 238 may provide thedecoded data to a data sink 239 and the decoded control information tocontroller/processor 240. Base station 110 may include communicationunit 244 and communicate to network controller 130 via communicationunit 244. Network controller 130 may include communication unit 294,controller/processor 290, and memory 292.

Controller/processor 240 of base station 110, controller/processor 280of UE 120, and/or any other component(s) of FIG. 2 may perform one ormore techniques associated with group-based beam indication andsignaling, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example,controller/processor 240 of base station 110, controller/processor 280of UE 120, and/or any other component(s) of FIG. 2 may perform or directoperations of, for example, process 600 of FIG. 6, process 700 of FIG.7, and/or other processes as described herein. Memories 242 and 282 maystore data and program codes for base station 110 and UE 120,respectively. A scheduler 246 may schedule UEs for data transmission onthe downlink and/or uplink.

In some aspects, UE 120 may include means for receiving a downlink beamindication for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, abandwidth part, or a component carrier; means for using the downlinkbeam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets,bandwidth parts, or component carriers; and/or the like. Additionally,or alternatively, UE 120 may include means for receiving an indicationof a spatial relation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatialrelation is to be applied; means for using the spatial relation totransmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources;and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or morecomponents of UE 120 described in connection with FIG. 2, such asantenna 252, DEMOD 254, MOD 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller/processor280, and/or the like.

As indicated above, FIG. 2 is provided merely as an example. Otherexamples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example 300 of group-based beamindication and signaling, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. A beam indication can include signaling, from onecommunication device to another, that is related to information aboutone or more communication beams. A beam indicator helps communicationdevices discern beam types, obtain information about communicationbeams, and utilize beams for appropriate or proper communications. Abeam indicator can be used to differentiate one beam from another.Additionally, or alternatively, a beam indicator can be used to signalinformation about one or more beams during communication operations. Abeam indicator may be configured as control or data in variousdeployment alternatives. A beam indicator may be considered beammetadata—data or information about one or more particular beams.Signaling of a beam indicator for a specific beam enables and providesgranular information about the beam. By enabling one beam indicator toprovide an indication status for a plurality of beams, signaling of onebeam indicator (e.g., a single indicator) can be applied and sharedacross multiple resources/channels, thereby yielding efficient, qualitycommunication.

A beam indicator can be signaled in a variety of manners. For example,in some cases, a beam indication may be separately signaled fordifferent resources, different resource sets, different channels,different bandwidth parts (BWPs), different component carriers (CCs),and/or the like. A beam indication (or a beam indicator) may be used tosignal various parameters, including a transmission configurationindication (TCI) state, a quasi-co location (QCL) relationship, aspatial relation, and/or the like. For example, for downlinkcommunications, a separate set of TCI states (e.g., configured oractivated TCI states) may be indicated by a base station 110 fordifferent bandwidth parts. That is, the base station 110 may signal afirst set of TCI states for a first bandwidth part, may signal a secondset of TCI states for a second bandwidth part, and so on for each of theconfigured bandwidth parts. This allows for full flexibility inconfiguring TCI states for bandwidth parts.

Yet in some cases, the same set of TCI states may be indicated fordifferent bandwidth parts (e.g., due to similarities in beamcharacteristics in a cell). In these cases, transmitting a first signalthat indicates the first set of TCI states and transmitting a secondsignal that indicates the second set of TCI states wastes networkresources used to carry the signals, wastes base station resources usedto generate and transmit the signals (e.g., processing resources, memoryresources, and/or the like), and wastes UE resources used to receive andprocess the signals (e.g., processing resources, memory resources,and/or the like) when the first set of TCI states and the second set ofTCI states are the same.

Similarly, for uplink communications, a separate set of spatialrelations (e.g., configured or activated spatial relations) may beindicated by a base station 110 for different physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH) resources and/or different sounding reference signal(SRS) resources (referred to collectively as PUCCH/SRS resources). Thatis, the base station 110 may signal a first activated spatial relationfor a first PUCCH/SRS resource, may signal a second activated spatialrelation for a second PUCCH/SRS resource, and so on for each PUCCH/SRSresource. This allows for full flexibility in configuring spatialrelations for bandwidth parts, but requires transmission of a separatesignal, such as a separate media access control (MAC) control element(CE) (MAC-CE), for each PUCCH/SRS resource.

In some cases, the same activated spatial resource may be indicated fordifferent PUCCH/SRS resources (e.g., when the UE 120 has a capability tosupport only a single active spatial relation). In these cases,transmitting a first signal that indicates the first activated spatialrelation and transmitting a second signal that indicates the secondactivated spatial relation wastes network resources used to carry thesignals, base station resources used to generate and transmit thesignals, and UE resources used to receive and process the signals whenthe first activated spatial relation and the second activated spatialrelation are the same.

Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable communicationdevices to leverage a beam indicator across multiple resources and/orchannels. For example, some aspects enable a base station 110 totransmit, and enable a UE 120 to receive, a beam indication that appliesto a group or a logical group of parameters. A group of parameters caninclude multiple resources, multiple resource sets, a group of channels,multiple BWPs, multiple CCs, and/or the like. For example, a TCI statemay be applied to multiple BWPs and/or multiple CCs, a spatial relationmay be applied to multiple PUCCH resources, and/or the like, therebyconserving network resources, base station resources, and UE resources,as indicated above. Furthermore, some techniques and apparatusesdescribed herein permit efficient and flexible signaling to indicate theresources, resource sets, channels, BWPs, and/or CCs to which a beamindication is to be applied. These techniques and apparatuses mayconserve network resources by limiting the overhead needed for suchsignaling, while permitting flexibility in indicating the resources,resource sets, channels, BWPs, and/or CCs to which a beam indication isto be applied. Additional details are provided below.

As shown in FIG. 3, and by reference number 310, a base station 110 maytransmit, and a UE 120 may receive, a beam indication. The beamindication may apply specifically to one or more communication elements,such as one or more of a channel, a resource, a resource set, abandwidth part, and/or a component carrier. As shown by reference number320, the UE 120 and the base station 110 may use a beam indication for agroup of communication elements. This group of communication elementsmay include a group of channels, multiple resources, multiple resourcesets, multiple bandwidth parts, or multiple component carriers. Thus,according to some particular, exemplary aspects, a single beamindication can be applied to multiple (e.g., a group of) communicationelements, such as multiple (e.g., a group of) channels, resources,resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers. This approachcan conserve overhead as compared to signaling separate beam indicationsfor different communication elements, such as different channels,resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers. Insome aspects, a radio resource control (RRC) message may be used toconfigure a set of communication elements, such as a set of channels,resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers,and a MAC-CE and/or downlink control information (DCI) may be used toactivate one or more communication elements, such as one or morechannels, resources, resources sets, bandwidth parts, and/or componentcarriers from the configured sets.

Group-based beam indications may be used for a variety of parameters. Insome aspects, the beam indication may indicate that a TCI state, a QCLrelationship, and/or a spatial relation is to be activated for a firstchannel, a first resource, a first resource set, a first bandwidth part,and/or a first component carrier, and the UE 120 may use (e.g.,activate, configure, transmit using, and/or the like) the TCI state, theQCL relationship, and/or the spatial relation not only for the firstchannel, the first resource, the first resource set, the first bandwidthpart, and/or the first component carrier, but also for a second channel,a second resource, a second resource set, a second bandwidth part,and/or a second component carrier. Additionally, or alternatively, theUE 120 may use (e.g., activate, configure, transmit using, and/or thelike) the TCI state, the QCL relationship, and/or the spatial relationfor one or more other (e.g., a third, a fourth, and so on) channels,resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

For example, the base station 110 may transmit an indication of one ormore beams (e.g., a single beam or multiple beams, which may beindicated using a TCI state, a QCL relationship, a spatial relation,and/or the like) that are to be configured and/or activated (e.g.,indicated and/or stored in a configuration in memory of the UE 120,activated for use by the UE 120, and/or the like) for a first bandwidthpart, and the UE 120 may configure and/or activate the one or more beamsfor the first bandwidth part and one or more other bandwidth parts(e.g., a second bandwidth part, a third bandwidth part, and so on). Insome aspects, the one or more other bandwidth parts are not identifiedin the indication of the one or more beams that are to be configuredand/or activated for the first bandwidth part.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base station 110 may transmit anindication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/oractivated for a first CC, and the UE 120 may configure and/or activatethe one or more beams for the first CC and one or more other CCs (e.g.,a second CC, a third CC, and so on). In some aspects, the one or moreother CCs are not identified in the indication of the one or more beamsthat are to be configured and/or activated for the first CC.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base station 110 may transmit anindication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/oractivated for a first channel, and the UE 120 may configure and/oractivate the one or more beams for the first channel and one or moreother channels (e.g., a second channel, a third channel, and so on). Insome aspects, the one or more other channels are not identified in theindication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/oractivated for the first channel. A channel may include, for example, aphysical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink sharedchannel (PDSCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physicaluplink shared channel (PUSCH), and/or the like.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base station 110 may transmit anindication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/oractivated for a first resource set (e.g., a set of CSI-RS/PUCCH/SRSresources), and the UE 120 may configure and/or activate the one or morebeams for the first resource set and one or more other resource sets(e.g., a second resource set, a third resource set, and so on). In someaspects, the one or more other resource sets are not identified in theindication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/oractivated for the first resource set. Additionally, or alternatively,the base station 110 may transmit an indication of one or more beamsthat are to be configured and/or activated for a first resource (e.g., aCSI-RS/PUCCH/SRS resource), and the UE 120 may configure and/or activatethe one or more beams for the first resource and one or more otherresources (e.g., a second resource, a third resource, and so on). Insome aspects, the one or more other resources are not identified in theindication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/oractivated for the first resource. In some aspects, the first resourceand the second resource are in different configured resource sets.

In some aspects, the base station 110 may transmit an indication of oneor more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for a first setof elements that includes two or more of a resource, a resource set, achannel, a BWP, or a CC, and the UE 120 may configure and/or activatethe one or more beams for the first set of elements and one or moreother sets of elements (e.g., a second set of elements, a third set ofelements, and so on). In some aspects, the one or more other sets ofelements are not identified in the indication of the one or more beamsthat are to be configured and/or activated for the first set ofelements.

For example, in example 300, the base station 110 indicates a set of TCIstates that are to be configured and/or activated for one or morecontrol resource sets (CORESETs) and a PDSCH on a first bandwidth part(e.g., identified as BWP 1) and a first CC (e.g., identified as CC 1).The indication may identify BWP 1 and CC 1. In some aspects, theindication may not identify a second bandwidth part (e.g., BWP 2) andmay not identify a second CC (e.g., CC 2). However, the UE 120 may usethe indicated set of TCI states to not only configure and/or activateone or more TCI states for the CORESET(s) and the PDSCH on the firstbandwidth part and the first CC, but to also configure and/or activateone or more TCI states for CORESET(s) and the PDSCH on a secondbandwidth part and the second CC. In this way, network resources can beconserved by foregoing transmission of an indication to use the set ofTCI states for the second bandwidth part and the second CC. Furthermore,base station resources that would otherwise be used to generate andtransmit the indication can be conserved, and UE resources that wouldotherwise be used to receive and process the indication can beconserved.

In some aspects, the base station 110 may indicate a beam indication(e.g., a spatial relation) that is to be configured and/or activated fora first sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set on a first BWP(e.g., BWP 1) in a first CC (e.g., CC 1). The indication may identifyBWP 1 and CC 1. In some aspects, the indication may not identify asecond bandwidth part (e.g., BWP 2) and may not identify a second CC(e.g., CC 2). However, the UE 120 may use the beam indication for notonly the first SRS resource set on the first BWP in the first CC, butalso for a second SRS resource set on the second BWP in the second CC.In this way, network resources, base station resources, and/or UEresources may be conserved, as indicated above.

As indicated above, FIG. 3 is provided as an example. Other examples maydiffer from what is described with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example 400 of group-based beamindication and signaling, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

As shown by reference number 410, a base station 110 may transmit, and aUE 120 may receive, an indication of a spatial relation and multiplePUCCH resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied. Theindication may be transmitted and/or received in a signaling message,such as a MAC-CE or the like. As further shown, in some aspects, thePUCCH resources may be indicated using one or more component types(sometimes referred to herein as PUCCH resource component types).Additionally, or alternatively, the signaling message may indicate aformat for a component type or multiple formats corresponding tomultiple component types. A format for a component type may be used tointerpret a set of bits (e.g., one or more bits) used to indicate acomponent having the component type and/or to identify the PUCCHresources, as described in more detail below.

As shown by reference number 420, the signaling message may indicate themultiple PUCCH resources using one or more component identifiers(sometimes referred to as PUCCH resource component identifiers). Acomponent identifier may include, for example, a PUCCH resourceidentifier (sometimes referred to as a resource identifier), a PUCCHresource set identifier (sometimes referred to as a resource setidentifier), a bandwidth part identifier, and/or a component carrieridentifier. The signaling message may include a single componentidentifier or any combination of multiple component identifiers.Similarly, a component type used to identify a PUCCH resource mayinclude a PUCCH resource (e.g., a resource block, a time domainresource, a frequency domain resource, a time domain and frequencydomain resource, and/or the like), a PUCCH resource set (e.g., a set ofresource blocks, a set of time domain resources, a set of frequencydomain resources, a set of time domain and frequency domain resources,and/or the like), a BWP, and/or a CC.

In some aspects, a single component identifier for a single componenttype may be used to identify the multiple PUCCH resources. For example,the signaling message may indicate a single CC identifier, and this mayindicate that the UE 120 is to use the spatial relation for all PUCCHresources on the CC identified by the CC identifier (e.g., allcommunications transmitted using a PUCCH resource on the CC). In someaspects, multiple component identifiers may be used to identify themultiple PUCCH resources. For example, the signaling message mayindicate a BWP and a CC, and the UE 120 may use the spatial relation forall PUCCH resources on the BWP and the CC.

As shown by reference number 430, a component identifier may beindicated using a format. In some aspects, the format may be fixedand/or prespecified (e.g., in a wireless telecommunication standard). Insome aspects, the format may be relatively static, and may be indicatedvia a radio resource control (RRC) message. In some aspects, the formatmay be relatively dynamic. In some aspects, the format may be indicatedin the signaling message, such as the MAC-CE, as shown in FIG. 4.

When a first format (e.g., format 1) is used for a component type, acomponent having that component type may be indicated in the signalingmessage using a single component identifier. For example, when the firstformat is used for the BWP component type, a BWP may be explicitlyidentified in the signaling message. In example 400, BWP 1 is explicitlyindicated in the signaling message using the first format.

When a second format (e.g., format 2) is used for a component type, acomponent having that component type may be indicated in the signalingmessage using a bitmap with a bit corresponding to each configuredand/or activated component having that component type. A first value ofthe bit (e.g., zero) may indicate that the spatial relation is not to beused for a component corresponding to the bit, and a second value of thebit (e.g., one) may indicate that the spatial relation is to be used forthe component corresponding to the bit. For example, the base station110 may configure the UE 120 with a first BWP (e.g., BWP 0), a secondBWP (e.g., BWP 1), a third BWP (e.g., BWP 2), and a fourth BWP (e.g.,BWP 3) (e.g., for a particular CC). In this case, a bitmap of 1001 mayindicate that the spatial relation is to be used for BWP 0 and BWP 3,and that the spatial relation is not to be used for BWP 1 and BWP 2.

When a third format (e.g., format 3) is used for a component type, acomponent having that component type may be indicated in the signalingmessage using a validity indicator that indicates whether or not thespatial relation is to be used for all components having the componenttype. For example, a first value of the validity indicator (e.g., zero)for a component type may indicate that the spatial relation is not to beused for all (or is not to be used for any) components having thecomponent type, and a second value of the validity indicator (e.g., one)may indicate that the spatial relation is to be used for all componentshaving the component type. In some aspects, the validity indicator maybe an explicit indication included in the signaling message (e.g., usinga single bit for a single component type, a set of bits corresponding toa set of component types, and/or the like). In some aspects, thevalidity indicator may be an implicit indication. For example, if thesignaling message does not include any component identifiers for acomponent type, then this may indicate that the spatial relation is tobe applied to all components having the component type. In example 400,if a BWP or a set of BWPs is not explicitly identified in the signalingmessage, then this indicates that the spatial relation is to apply toall BWPs.

When a fourth format (e.g., format 4) is used for a component type, acomponent having that component type may be indicated in the signalingmessage using an explicit indication of multiple components having thecomponent type. In this case, the signaling message may indicate anumber of components, having the component type, that are identified inthe signaling message, and may also include a corresponding number(e.g., the same number or quantity) of component identifiers to identifythe components to which the spatial relation is to be applied. Inexample 400, when the fourth format is used for the BWP component type,the signaling message indicates that two BWP components are identifiedin the signaling message, and then identifies those two BWP componentsas BWP 0 and BWP 2. By indicating the number of components in thesignaling message, the UE 120 may be capable of properly interpretingbits in the signaling message.

As shown by reference number 440, the UE 120 may identify the PUCCHresources indicated in the signaling message. For example, the UE 120may use the indicated formats to interpret bits in the signalingmessage, where the bits indicate the components. The UE 120 may use theindicated components to identify the PUCCH resources to which thespatial relation, indicated in the signaling message, is to be applied.In some aspects, a single MAC-CE (e.g., identified using a single logicchannel identifier (LCID) that uniquely identifies that MAC-CE) mayindicate the spatial relation, the format to be used to interpret bitsthat indicate the components, and the components (e.g., using the bitsinterpreted according to the format). Additional details regarding thecontent of the MAC-CE are described below in connection with FIG. 5.

As an example, if the signaling message uses format 1 for a CC componenttype and does not indicate any other component types, then the signalingmessage may include a single CC identifier that identifies a CC. In thiscase, the UE 120 may apply the indicated spatial relation (e.g., aspatial relation activated by the MAC-CE) to all PUCCH resources on theCC.

As another example, if the signaling message uses format 1 for aresource set component type, uses format 1 for a BWP component type, anduses format 1 for a CC component type, then the signaling message mayinclude a single resource set identifier that identifies a PUCCHresource set, may include a single BWP identifier that identifies a BWP,and may include a single CC identifier that identifies a CC. In thiscase, the UE 120 may apply the indicated spatial relation to all PUCCHresources in the indicated PUCCH resource set on the indicated BWP andCC.

As another example, if the signaling message uses format 2 for a PUCCHresource component type, uses format 1 for a BWP component type, anduses format 1 for a CC component type, then the signaling message mayinclude a bitmap to identify PUCCH resources, may include a single BWPidentifier that identifies a BWP, and may include a single CC identifierthat identifies a CC. In this case, the UE 120 may apply the indicatedspatial relation to the PUCCH resources that are indicated in the bitmapand that are on the indicated BWP and CC. For example, bits with a valueof 1 may indicate that the spatial relation is to be used for PUCCHresources corresponding to those bits.

As shown by reference number 450, the UE 120 may use the spatialrelation, identified in the signaling message, to transmitcommunication(s) on one or more PUCCH resources included in the multiplePUCCH resources indicated in the signaling message. Similarly, the basestation 110 may use the spatial relation, identified in the signalingmessage, to receive communication(s) on one or more PUCCH resourcesincluded in the multiple PUCCH resources indicated in the signalingmessage.

For example, the UE 120 may determine that a PUCCH resource, on which acommunication is scheduled and/or is to be transmitted, is included inthe PUCCH resources indicated in the signaling message. Based at leastin part on this determination, the UE 120 may transmit the communicationon the PUCCH resource using the spatial relation indicated in thesignaling message. In this way, spatial relations may be flexiblyconfigured while conserving network resources, base station resources,and/or UE resources, as described elsewhere herein.

As indicated above, FIG. 4 is provided as an example. Other examples maydiffer from what is described with respect to FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example 500 of group-based beamindication and signaling, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an example of contents of a signaling message, such as aMAC-CE, that indicate a set of components and a set of formats to beused to interpret bits that indicate the set of components. As shown byreference number 510, the signaling message may include a formatindicator and a component indicator for one or more component types. Thecomponent types are shown as a PUCCH resource component type, a PUCCHresource set component type, a BWP component type, and a CC componenttype. The signaling message may indicate sets of componentscorresponding to any combination of component types. In some aspects,the signaling message may indicate one or more components for only asingle component type. In example 500, the signaling message indicatescomponents for a PUCCH resource component type, a BWP component type,and a CC component type, and not a PUCCH resource set component type.However, other combinations may be different from what is shown in FIG.5.

As shown, the signaling message may indicate that format 2 is used toindicate one or more PUCCH resources having the PUCCH resource componenttype, that format 1 is used to indicate a single BWP, and that format 1is used to indicate a single CC. In this case, the single BWP isexplicitly identified as BWP 2, the single CC is explicitly identifiedas CC 1, and the PUCCH resources are indicated using a bitmap of101010101, which indicates even-numbered PUCCH resources (e.g., PUCCHresource ID 0, PUCCH resource ID 2, PUCCH resource ID 4, PUCCH resourceID 6, and PUCCH resource ID 8). In this case, as shown by referencenumber 520, the UE 120 may apply a spatial relation, indicated in thesignaling message, to the PUCCH resources indicated in the bitmap on BWP2 on CC 1.

In some aspects, the MAC-CE may be designed with a fixed size such thatthe base station 110 is capable of using the MAC-CE to indicate only asingle combination of formats for corresponding component types. Inexample 500, this single combination is format 2 for the PUCCH resourcecomponent type, format 1 for the BWP component type, and format 1 forthe CC component type. In this case, the MAC-CE may have a fixed size(e.g., a fixed length), which may simplify processing and/or generationof the MAC-CE and thereby conserve UE resources and base stationresources.

In some aspects, the MAC-CE may be designed with a fixed size such thatthe base station 110 is capable of using the MAC-CE to indicate multiplecombinations of formats for corresponding component types. For example,as shown by reference number 530, the MAC-CE may include a validityindicator. The validity indicator may indicate whether to use thecomponent indicator in the signaling message to identify the componentsfor a component type (e.g., when the validity indicator for thecomponent type has a first value, such as one) or whether to apply thespatial relation to all components (e.g., configured components) havingthe component type (e.g., when the validity indicator for the componenttype has a second value, such as zero). In example 500, the validityindicator is shown as a bitmap of 011, with the first bit (zero)corresponding to the PUCCH resource component type, the second bit (one)corresponding to the BWP component type, and the third bit (one)corresponding to the CC component type. In this case, the UE 120 usesthe component indicator to identify the BWP and the CC, and ignores thecomponent indicator for the PUCCH resource. Thus, as shown by referencenumber 540, the UE 120 applies the spatial relation, indicated in thesignaling message, to all PUCCH resources on BWP 2 on CC 1.

In some aspects, the validity indicator may be included in a body of theMAC-CE to indicate which component indicators are valid (e.g., are to beused to identify the components to which the spatial relation is to beapplied) and which component indicators are invalid (e.g., are not to beused to identify the components to which the spatial relation is to beapplied). In some aspects, the validity indicator may be included in asub-header of the MAC-CE and/or in a length field of the MAC-CE. In thiscase, the MAC-CE may have a variable length.

As indicated above, FIG. 5 is provided as an example. Other examples maydiffer from what is described with respect to FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process 600 performed, forexample, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Example process 600 is an example where a UE (e.g., UE 120and/or the like) performs operations associated with group-based beamindication and signaling.

As shown in FIG. 6, in some aspects, process 600 may include receiving adownlink beam indication for at least one of a channel, a resource, aresource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier (block 610). Forexample, the UE (e.g., using receive processor 258, controller/processor280, memory 282, and/or the like) may receive a downlink beam indicationfor at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidthpart, or a component carrier, as described above.

As further shown in FIG. 6, in some aspects, process 600 may includeusing the downlink beam indication for a group of channels, resources,resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers (block 620). Forexample, the UE (e.g., using receive processor 258, transmit processor264, controller/processor 280, memory 282, and/or the like) may use thedownlink beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resourcesets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers, as described above.

Process 600 may include additional aspects, such as any singleimplementation or any combination of aspects described below and/or inconnection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, the downlink beam indication includes at least one ofa transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or a quasico-location (QCL) relationship. In a second aspect, alone or incombination with the first aspect, the downlink beam indication isreceived for a first physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and for atleast one of a first bandwidth part or a first component carrier, andthe downlink beam indication is used for a second PDSCH and for at leastone of a second bandwidth part or a second component carrier. In a thirdaspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and secondaspects, the downlink beam indication is received for a first controlresource set (CORESET) and a first physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH) on a first bandwidth part or a first component carrier and isused for a second CORESET and a second PDSCH on a second bandwidth partor a second component carrier.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of thefirst through third aspects, the downlink beam indication is receivedfor a first control resource set (CORESET) and for at least one of afirst bandwidth part or a first component carrier, and the downlink beamindication is used for a second CORESET on at least one of a secondbandwidth part or a second component carrier. In a fifth aspect, aloneor in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects,the beam indication is stored in a configuration or activated for use.

Although aspects are described above in connection with a downlink beamindication, similar operations may be performed for an uplink beamindication. For example, the UE may receive an uplink beam for at leastone of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or acomponent carrier; and may use the uplink beam indication for a group ofchannels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or componentcarriers. In one aspect, alone or in combination with one or moreaspects described elsewhere herein, a single activated and/or configuredbeam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlink channel orresource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier can be appliedto a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts,and/or component carriers.

Although FIG. 6 shows example blocks of process 600, in some aspects,process 600 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, differentblocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 6.Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 600may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example process 700 performed, forexample, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Example process 700 is an example where a UE (e.g., UE 120and/or the like) performs operations associated with group-based beamindication and signaling.

As shown in FIG. 7, in some aspects, process 700 may include receivingan indication of a spatial relation and multiple physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied(block 710). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor 258,transmit processor 264, controller/processor 280, memory 282, and/or thelike) may receive an indication of a spatial relation and multiplephysical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatialrelation is to be applied, as described above.

As further shown in FIG. 7, in some aspects, process 700 may includeusing the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources ofthe multiple PUCCH resources (block 720). For example, the UE (e.g.,using receive processor 258, transmit processor 264,controller/processor 280, memory 282, and/or the like) may use thespatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of themultiple PUCCH resources, as described above.

Process 700 may include additional aspects, such as any singleimplementation or any combination of aspects described below and/or inconnection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, the multiple PUCCH resources are indicated using oneor more component identifiers that include at least one of a PUCCHresource identifier, a PUCCH resource set identifier, a bandwidth partidentifier, a component carrier identifier, or a combination thereof. Ina second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, acomponent identifier, of the one or more component identifiers, isindicated using one of: a first format that explicitly indicates asingle component identifier for a component, a second format thatincludes a bitmap that indicates the component identifier from a set ofconfigured component identifiers, a third format that indicates allcomponent identifiers for a component, or a fourth format that indicatesa number of component identifiers and a corresponding componentidentifier for each of the number of component identifiers.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the firstand second aspects, a format to be used to indicate a componentidentifier, of the one or more component identifiers, is signaled to theUE. In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of thefirst through third aspects, the indication is received in a singlemedia access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE).

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the firstthrough fourth aspects, a single MAC-CE is used to indicate the spatialrelation, the multiple PUCCH resources, and a set of formats forinterpreting a set of bits used to indicate a set of components thatindicate the multiple PUCCH resources. In a sixth aspect, alone or incombination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the setof components is explicitly indicated by the set of formats. In aseventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the firstthrough sixth aspects, the single MAC-CE has a fixed length. In aneighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the firstthrough seventh aspects, the set of components is indicated by the setof formats and a validity indicator that indicates whether a format, ofthe set of formats, is to be used to identify a corresponding componentor whether all component identifiers for the component are to be used toidentify PUCCH resources. In a ninth aspect, alone or in combinationwith one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the single MAC-CEhas a fixed length and the validity indicator is included in a body ofthe MAC-CE. In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or moreof the first through ninth aspects, the single MAC-CE has a variablelength and the validity indicator is included in a sub-header of theMAC-CE.

Although FIG. 7 shows example blocks of process 700, in some aspects,process 700 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, differentblocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 7.Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 700may be performed in parallel.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the preciseform disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of theabove disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construedas hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Asused herein, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, or acombination of hardware and software.

As used herein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a value beinggreater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, lessthan the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to thethreshold, not equal to the threshold, and/or the like.

It will be apparent that systems and/or methods described herein may beimplemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, or a combinationof hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware orsoftware code used to implement these systems and/or methods is notlimiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systemsand/or methods were described herein without reference to specificsoftware code—it being understood that software and hardware can bedesigned to implement the systems and/or methods based, at least inpart, on the description herein.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. In fact, many ofthese features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependentclaim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosureof various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination withevery other claim in the claim set. A phrase referring to “at least oneof” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, includingsingle members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intendedto cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combinationwith multiples of the same element (e.g., a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c,a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c or any other ordering ofa, b, and c).

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore,as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include oneor more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination ofrelated and unrelated items, and/or the like), and may be usedinterchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, thephrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, theterms “has,” “have,” “having,” and/or the like are intended to beopen-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean“based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication performed by auser equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a downlink beam indicationfor at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidthpart, or a component carrier; and using the downlink beam indication fora group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, orcomponent carriers.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the downlink beamindication includes at least one of a transmission configurationindicator (TCI) state or a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the downlink beam indication is received fora first physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and for at least one ofa first bandwidth part or a first component carrier, and wherein thedownlink beam indication is used for a second PDSCH and for at least oneof a second bandwidth part or a second component carrier.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the downlink beam indication is received for a firstcontrol resource set (CORESET) and for at least one of a first bandwidthpart or a first component carrier, and wherein the downlink beamindication is used for a second CORESET on at least one of a secondbandwidth part or a second component carrier.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the downlink beam indication is stored in a configuration oractivated for use.
 6. A method of wireless communication performed by auser equipment (UE), comprising: receiving an indication of a spatialrelation and multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resourcesto which the spatial relation is to be applied; and using the spatialrelation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiplePUCCH resources.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the multiple PUCCHresources are indicated using one or more component identifiers thatinclude at least one of: a PUCCH resource identifier, a PUCCH resourceset identifier, a bandwidth part identifier, a component carrieridentifier, or a combination thereof.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereina component identifier, of the one or more component identifiers, isindicated using one of: a first format that explicitly indicates asingle component identifier for a component, a second format thatincludes a bitmap that indicates the component identifier from a set ofconfigured component identifiers, a third format that indicates allcomponent identifiers for a component, or a fourth format that indicatesa number of component identifiers and a corresponding componentidentifier for each of the number of component identifiers.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein a format to be used to indicate a componentidentifier, of the one or more component identifiers, is signaled to theUE.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the indication is received in asingle media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE).
 11. Themethod of claim 6, wherein a single MAC-CE is used to indicate thespatial relation, the multiple PUCCH resources, and a set of formats forinterpreting a set of bits used to indicate a set of components thatindicate the multiple PUCCH resources.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the set of components is explicitly indicated by the set offormats.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the single MAC-CE has afixed length.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of componentsis indicated by the set of formats and a validity indicator thatindicates whether a format, of the set of formats, is to be used toidentify a corresponding component or whether all component identifiersfor the component are to be used to identify PUCCH resources.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the single MAC-CE has a fixed length and thevalidity indicator is included in a body of the MAC-CE.
 16. The methodof claim 14, wherein the single MAC-CE has a variable length and thevalidity indicator is included in a sub-header of the MAC-CE.
 17. A userequipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and oneor more processors operatively coupled to the memory, the memory and theone or more processors configured to: receive a downlink beam indicationfor at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidthpart, or a component carrier; and use the downlink beam indication for agroup of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, orcomponent carriers.
 18. The UE of claim 17, wherein the downlink beamindication includes at least one of a transmission configurationindicator (TCI) state or a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship.
 19. TheUE of claim 18, wherein the downlink beam indication is received for afirst physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and for at least one of afirst bandwidth part or a first component carrier, and wherein thedownlink beam indication is used for a second PDSCH and for at least oneof a second bandwidth part or a second component carrier.
 20. The UE ofclaim 17, wherein the downlink beam indication is received for a firstcontrol resource set (CORESET) and for at least one of a first bandwidthpart or a first component carrier, and wherein the downlink beamindication is used for a second CORESET on at least one of a secondbandwidth part or a second component carrier.
 21. The UE of claim 17,wherein the downlink beam indication is stored in a configuration oractivated for use.
 22. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication,comprising: a memory; and one or more processors operatively coupled tothe memory, the memory and the one or more processors configured to:receive an indication of a spatial relation and multiple physical uplinkcontrol channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatial relation is to beapplied; and use the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCHresources of the multiple PUCCH resources.
 23. The UE of claim 22,wherein the multiple PUCCH resources are indicated using one or morecomponent identifiers that include at least one of: a PUCCH resourceidentifier, a PUCCH resource set identifier, a bandwidth partidentifier, a component carrier identifier, or a combination thereof.24. The UE of claim 23, wherein a component identifier, of the one ormore component identifiers, is indicated using one of: a first formatthat explicitly indicates a single component identifier for a component,a second format that includes a bitmap that indicates the componentidentifier from a set of configured component identifiers, a thirdformat that indicates all component identifiers for a component, or afourth format that indicates a number of component identifiers and acorresponding component identifier for each of the number of componentidentifiers.
 25. The UE of claim 23, wherein a format to be used toindicate a component identifier, of the one or more componentidentifiers, is signaled to the UE.
 26. The UE of claim 22, wherein theindication is received in a single media access control (MAC) controlelement (MAC-CE).
 27. The UE of claim 22, wherein a single MAC-CE isused to indicate the spatial relation, the multiple PUCCH resources, anda set of formats for interpreting a set of bits used to indicate a setof components that indicate the multiple PUCCH resources.
 28. The UE ofclaim 27, wherein the set of components is explicitly indicated by theset of formats.
 29. The UE of claim 28, wherein the single MAC-CE has afixed length.
 30. The UE of claim 27, wherein the set of components isindicated by the set of formats and a validity indicator that indicateswhether a format, of the set of formats, is to be used to identify acorresponding component or whether all component identifiers for thecomponent are to be used to identify PUCCH resources.